Why are young people abandoning condoms? Shocking insights from new report

The global decline in condom usage has raised concerns among health experts, with factors such as pornography, platforms like OnlyFans, and natural family planning methods being cited as major influences. According to Sarah Pratt, a sexual health educator at the Global Youth Organization (YMCA), “Many young men avoid using condoms because they rarely see them used in pornographic content.” Additionally, inadequate sex education has been identified as another critical reason behind the decreasing interest in condoms among young people.

Declining condom use: A growing concern

A recent survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) across 42 countries in Europe and the Middle East assessed condom usage among 242,000 teenagers aged 15. The findings revealed a significant drop in condom use. In 2014, 70% of boys reported using condoms during their last sexual encounter. By 2022, this figure had dropped to 61%, indicating a concerning trend.

Women also showing decline in contraceptive use

The report further highlighted that young women are also using condoms and birth control pills less frequently. The percentage of females using contraceptives fell from 63% to 57%, with a noticeable decline in the use of emergency contraceptive pills as well.

Who is avoiding condoms the most?

The WHO survey also found that between 2014 and 2022, 26% of young women reported not using birth control pills during sexual activity. Additionally, 33% of teenagers from lower-middle-class families did not use condoms, compared to 25% in wealthier households.

The WHO has urged young people to prioritize safe sex practices by using condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Experts emphasize that proper education and awareness are essential to reversing this troubling trend.